Acceptable Behavior (16 page)

“Oh yeah.” Sam leaned over him, rubbing a hand over Travis’ back. “These are the eyes I see in my dreams.”

Chuckling, Travis turned his head to speak. “Not mine?”

“Oh, yours too. But these leopard eyes, right here, are usually the last thing I see before I shoot my wad deep into your hot ass. It’s a conditioned response thing now. Just looking at them makes me feel good.” Sam sucked his back and Travis knew he’d zoomed in on the tattoo of the black leopard.

“Mmm, okay. I see how it is. When you and the cat have finished getting it on, wanna reach underneath and take care of me?”

He sucked harder until Travis squirmed. “Just for that, I gave the cat a hickey. And yes, I would love to take care of you.” He slid his hand over Travis’ belly and gripped his aching erection. “Every day, for the rest of my life.”

Sam jerked in time with his thrusts and continued licking Travis’ back. “It’s all your fault I’m suddenly into bestiality. Not that I’d want anything to do with a real animal. But this guy back here is part of you, so that’s not too twisted, is it?”

Travis groaned as happy sensations came at him from both directions. “No, man, you’re totally sane. You can kiss my cat all you want, just don’t stop everything else you’re doing!”

“Never-gonna-stop,” Sam muttered, staccato, as he fucked with intensity. “Come on, big boy. Spill your seed for me. I’m ready when you are.”

Another hard thrust sent him over the edge. “Now,” he ground out and released. His spunk shot over Sam’s hand and the sheets, but he didn’t care. The payoff was totally worth it.

Sam’s hot seed filled his ass and warmed him from the inside. His lover panted and groaned and Travis felt happy, inside and out. As was his usual MO, Sam clutched Travis’ belly and rolled them to one side, away from the wet spot. His lover nuzzled his neck and massaged warm cum into his inked skin.

“Damn, you feel good. I could wake up like this every day.”

Travis sighed. “You have a standing invitation. Never have to ask.” He turned his head so they could kiss. “Love you,” he murmured into Sam’s mouth.

“Mmm, love you too.”

Footsteps in the hallway gave them just enough notice for Sam to toss the covers over their bodies.

Levi ran in and jumped on the bed. “It’s my first day of camp!” he squealed.

Travis grinned at the boy. “Good morning. Not excited or anything, are you?”

“Yes!” Levi bounced on his knees, rocking him and Sam, who were still joined.

“Good morning, buddy.” Sam ruffled his hair. “Why don’t you go to the bathroom, then change into the clothes we laid out.”

“I’ll be out in a minute to make you breakfast,” Travis added.

“Pancakes!” Levi jumped off the bed and ran down the hall, leaving the door open.

“Maybe, if you settle down!” Travis called back. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Good morning.”

“Very good morning.” He eased his cock from Travis’ ass and threw the covers off. “These sheets are a mess. Guess I’ll be doing laundry today.”

“Totally worth it,” they said at the same time, then gazed at each other and laughed.

Travis showered then made pancakes and ate a quick breakfast with his family. Nearly late for work, he grabbed his satchel and planted a kiss on Levi’s head. “Have fun today, buddy. I can’t wait to hear all about it tonight.”

Levi wiggled sticky fingers at him. “Have a good day.”

Grinning, Travis backed away.

Sam stood and wiggled his fingers in the same manner. “Mine aren’t syrupy.”

“Then get over here.” Travis slid an arm around Sam’s waist and kissed him firmly. “Can’t wait to see you tonight, either.” He lowered his voice. “And if you want to kiss the cat, I’m totally up for it.”

“You know I will.” He gave one more passionate kiss, tracing his tongue along the seam of Travis’ lips.

Travis groaned. “Hate to stop but need to get to work. Have a good day.” He pulled away regretfully and smiled over his shoulder. “Sorry about the extra laundry.”

“No you’re not!”

He chuckled and headed out. “You’re right. Call me after you pick him up.”

“Will do. Running by Mel’s first, though.”

“Have fun with that.” He winked and closed the door behind him. He drove to the office and looked over the morning schedule the nurse provided. It was busy, but that made the day go quickly.

At lunch he texted Sam some dirty suggestions while he ate a salad in his office, and prepared for his afternoon appointments.

When his cell rang at three he was between appointments so he stepped into his office to take the call. He confirmed it was Sam and answered, “You calling me or the cat?”

“Travis.” Sam’s voice was hoarse and breathy.

Something’s wrong
. “What is it?”

“Mel swallowed a bottle of pills. The EMTs are taking her to Cook County now.”

His heart thudded in his chest. “Oh my God! What’s her condition?”

“I don’t know. She’s alive but unconscious. We can’t be sure what time she did it, how many oxys were in the bottle, or what other drugs were in her system.”

Panic turned to rage. “Jesus Christ, Sam! How could she do this to you and Levi? How is he? Is he okay?”

“He’s in shock. He doesn’t really know what’s happened. We have to get to the hospital but I wanted to call you first.”

“Where the hell did she get oxycodone, anyway?”

“When she broke her arm, remember?”

“I can’t believe she had any of those left.”

“I don’t know. I’ve got to go, Trav.”

“I’m on my way, babe. I’ll meet you at Cook County.”

“Thank you.” Sam ended the call.

Travis took a deep breath then let it out. An uneasy feeling was forming in the pit of his stomach. Somehow, Mel’s actions were going to cause problems for the happy little family routine they had going. He could tell from Sam’s tone that his lover wouldn’t be happy again for a long time.

He spoke with the doctor on call in his office and arranged for them to transfer the rest of his schedule to his. Travis was out of the door in under ten minutes, and used his hands-free phone to call his parents as he drove.

“Hey, honey.” His mom sounded cheerful.

He was about to dampen that mood. “Hey, Mom. Listen, Melanie swallowed a bottle of oxycodone and they’ve rushed her to Cook County Hospital. Sam and Levi found her, they followed the ambulance. I’m on my way to meet them.”

“Oh dear God! What can we do, Trav?”

“Could you come get Levi? He doesn’t need to be there.”

“Of course. Dad and I will leave now.”

“I don’t know when I’ll be able to pick him up. I’ll just have to call you.”

“Well, why don’t we keep him overnight? We can swing by your place and pack a bag for him, then take him to camp in the morning.”

“Mom, that would be amazing. I should be there for Sam, for however long he needs me. It could be a long night.”

“It could be a bad night, honey. She might not make it.”

“I’m well aware. I’m anxious to get there and find out her condition. Sam was pretty shaken and didn’t get many details.”

“Okay. We’ll see you soon. Drive carefully.”

“You too.” He ended the call and worried the rest of the way to the hospital.

Travis parked in the lot next to Sam’s car and jogged into the emergency room. He spotted Sam in the waiting area, rocking Levi in his arms. Both of their faces were tear-streaked. He thought for a moment that his heart might break. He hurried to them. “Has something else happened?”

Levi bolted from Sam’s arms into Travis’.

Sam shook his head. “No news yet.”

Travis breathed a sigh of relief. He hugged Levi and sat in the chair next to Sam, running a hand through the child’s hair. “I’m so sorry, honey. Are you doing okay?”

Levi didn’t reply, just sobbed quietly into Travis’ neck.

He reached for Sam and wrapped one arm around him. “Come ’ere. I’m so sorry, Sammy.”

Sam buried his face into the other side of Travis’ neck and his tears broke loose. Travis held them both and rocked gently, letting each of them cry it out.

When his parents arrived a few minutes later, Kim ran a hand over Levi’s back.

He glanced up and saw her, and reached out. She lifted him and sat with Dave in another set of chairs.

“Any change?” Dave asked Travis.

“No news yet. I haven’t had a chance to speak with anyone.”

A nurse joined them. “Mr. Madison?”

Sam wiped his face and rose. “Yes?”

“Your sister is stable for now, but not out of the woods. We’ve pumped her stomach but it’s nearly impossible to tell how many pills she took, or what else she may have ingested. Those unknown factors are why we can’t say she’s past the worst of it yet.”

“When will we know?”

She shook her head. “Tomorrow morning, maybe? It’s hard to say.”

“What are we hoping for? I mean, what’s a good sign?”

“That she wakes up,” Travis offered.

The nurse nodded. “And if she does, that there’s no brain damage.”

“Brain damage?” Sam’s face fell. “Temporary or permanent?”

Travis shook his head. “There’s no way to tell this soon.”

The nurse glanced at him.

He smiled. “I’m a doctor. Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. You can decipher some of this for him, then. It gets overwhelming.”

“Can I see her?” Sam asked.

“Not just yet. She’s still in the ER. Once they feel she’s adequately stabilized, they’ll move her to the ICU. Then two people at a time can sit with her. No children, though. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, thank you.” Travis said, and watched her walk away. He turned to his parents, who’d been listening. “You guys might as well go. We just need to hang out and wait, now.”

His father stood. “We’ll swing by your place, then take him home.” He lifted Levi from Kim’s arm and she rose.

“Are you hungry, Levi?” she asked. “We should go home and make dinner.”

“Wanna stay with Dr. Trav!” He cried, reaching out for Travis.

Travis’ heart melted. He grasped the boy’s hands but didn’t pick him up. “Honey, Mom and Dad are going to take you to their house tonight. You can sleep in my old bedroom. That’ll be cool, won’t it?”

His tears started again.

Travis leaned in to him and pressed their foreheads together. “I know, buddy. We’ll miss you, too. It’s just for one night. Uncle Sammy and I need to be here to take care of Mommy. I know this is scary and sad for you, but Mom and Dad will be there for you all night. If you need them, just say something.”

He sobbed, “I wanted to live with you, but I didn’t want her to die!”

“She’s not going to die!” Sam snapped. He scrubbed his hands over his face, fighting his own tears.

Travis pressed a kiss to Levi’s cheek. “This is not your fault, honey. It’s not Uncle Sammy’s fault, and it’s not my fault. I can’t say exactly what’s going to happen, but I promise you that you’ll be okay. You are loved so much, and we will always take care of you.”

Kim wiped the boy’s tears. “We should go. You’ll see Trav tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Levi finally agreed.

Sam gave Levi a quick hug before Travis’ parents took him home.

Travis watched them go, then turned to Sam. “I meant every word of that, you know. None of this is our fault.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Sam gazed at him with disbelief. “Of course it’s my fault. I took her son from her. She felt abandoned and alone.”

“No, Sam.” He shook his head firmly. “Mel made her own choices and she had to live with them. She wasn’t alone, but she didn’t seem to get that. Ultimately, she chose Derek and the drugs over her family.”

Sam dropped back into a chair. “Ever since Rob went to prison she’s been floundering. I knew it, I just couldn’t seem to turn it around.”

“She has a history of bad choices, babe.”

Sam’s face reddened. “You don’t even know her! You’d probably be just as happy if she died!”

Travis flinched. He inhaled and blew out the breath to remain calm. “You don’t believe that. I understand how upset you are and, baby, I don’t blame you. I’ve tried to be supportive of your relationship with Mel, even when I could see it wasn’t healthy. But she needs help. That’s what this was, a cry for help. Good Lord willing, maybe this is what it’s going to take to get her the assistance she needs.”

Sam stared at him. “She fucking tried to kill herself. Why did she do that, Trav? Didn’t she know how much Levi and I loved her?”

“People who are suffering from depression don’t think about things like that. They just feel pain, and want it to stop.”

“Depression? She was fine.”

“Put the pieces together. Levi’s dad went away, which upset her. She started using drugs and got in with a bad crowd. It all adds up.”

Sam rocked back and forth. “Oh God! Oh God! I’m so stupid! Why didn’t I see any of that?”

Travis pressed his forehead to Sam’s temple. “Quit putting yourself down. You don’t have experience with this and you didn’t realize what the warning signs were. This is not on you.”

“Levi and I are all she has, Trav.”

“No, you’re not. She has me, too. And in case you didn’t notice, my parents are pretty hands-on people. She has them, too, if she’ll just open herself up to being helped.”

The nurse returned. “She’s being moved to an ICU room. You can sit with her in there if you like.”

“Good.” Sam rose.

Travis started to follow, but spotted his mom returning with a take-out bag. He approached her. “Hey.”

“We brought you a couple of sandwiches. Any change?”

“She’s being moved to the ICU. We’re going in to sit with her.”

“Good. That’s something.” She handed over the food. “Call anytime if there’s news, it doesn’t matter what time it is.”

He kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom. Is Levi doing okay?”

“He’s better.” They squeezed hands and she left.

Travis caught up with Sam and the nurse at the door to Mel’s room. “Can we have this in here?” He held up the bag.

“Sure.” She ushered them in, then pulled the sliding glass door closed. “I didn’t want to mention this before in front of the little boy, but your sister has some bruising and vaginal tearing. Since she’s unable to tell us what happened, we did a rape kit, just to be safe.”